Shopify agency for brands in the Philippines
Shopify stores built for Filipino shoppers: GCash and Maya at checkout, cash on delivery where it makes sense, island-wide shipping and marketing that competes with Shopee and Lazada.
Shopify experts for Philippines brands
Filipinos spend a lot of time on their phones and on social media, and much online shopping starts in Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop are where many shoppers look first, so a brand store needs clear reasons to buy direct: authentic products, better bundles, loyalty perks or exclusive items. E-wallets such as GCash and Maya are now everyday payment methods, while cash on delivery remains common outside the big cities.
BOOST STAR Experts builds and grows Shopify stores for Philippine brands and for international brands launching in the country. We connect local gateways for GCash, Maya and cards, set up cash on delivery and courier integrations that reach the provinces and handle Filipino and English content. Then we focus on social commerce, Meta and TikTok campaigns, search visibility and conversion work for mobile shoppers.
Selling online in the Philippines: what your store needs
E-wallets, cards and COD
GCash and Maya are used by tens of millions of Filipinos and are expected at checkout. Local gateways such as PayMongo, Xendit and Dragonpay add these wallets, cards, bank transfers through InstaPay and over-the-counter payments to Shopify. Cash on delivery still matters for first-time buyers and provincial shoppers, but it needs controls to limit failed deliveries.
Registration, VAT and the Internet Transactions Act
Online sellers register with the DTI or SEC and with the BIR, which issues invoices and handles tax. VAT is 12% for registered businesses. The Internet Transactions Act of 2023 sets rules for online merchants and platforms, and the Data Privacy Act of 2012 governs customer data. We build disclosures and consent into the store around these rules.
Shipping across more than 7,000 islands
Delivery times and costs vary widely between Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao. J&T Express, LBC, Ninja Van and Flash Express handle most eCommerce parcels, while Lalamove and Grab Express cover same-day deliveries within cities. Showing realistic delivery estimates by region, rather than one national promise, reduces cancellations.
Social selling and Taglish content
Many Filipino shoppers discover brands through livestreams, influencers and Facebook groups, and they often ask questions by chat before buying. English works well for product pages, but campaigns in Filipino or Taglish feel closer to everyday conversation. Payday sales around the 15th and 30th of the month and big date-based events such as 11.11 also shape demand.
Payments, delivery and compliance in the Philippines
- GCash
- Maya
- Credit & debit cards
- Cash on delivery
- InstaPay bank transfers
- Over-the-counter payments
- J&T Express
- LBC
- Ninja Van
- Flash Express
- Lalamove & Grab Express (same-day)
- Data Privacy Act of 2012
- Internet Transactions Act (RA 11967)
- DTI/SEC & BIR registration
- 12% VAT
Shopify agency services across the Philippines
Working together
The Philippines is 2.5 hours ahead of India. Our working morning overlaps with your late morning and afternoon, so calls are easy to schedule and replies usually arrive the same business day.
Time zone: PHT (UTC+8, no daylight saving). Currency: PHP (₱). Languages: Filipino, English.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
How do we accept GCash and Maya on Shopify?
Through a local payment gateway such as PayMongo or Xendit, which connects to Shopify and offers GCash, Maya, cards and other local methods. We compare providers for your volumes, set up the gateway, test every payment method on mobile and make sure the wallets are clearly visible at checkout.
Should we offer cash on delivery?
Often yes, especially for first orders and provincial customers, but with limits. We can restrict COD by order value or location, confirm orders by SMS or chat before dispatch and encourage prepaid payment with small incentives. This keeps the sales benefit of COD while reducing returned parcels.
Can our Shopify store work alongside Shopee and Lazada?
Yes. Marketplace connectors sync products, stock and orders between Shopify and the marketplaces, so you manage everything in one place. We then give shoppers reasons to buy direct, such as bundles, loyalty points and exclusive items, so your own store grows without hurting marketplace sales.
Which couriers can you connect to our store?
We regularly connect J&T Express, LBC, Ninja Van and Flash Express through their apps or shipping aggregators, plus Lalamove or Grab for same-day orders in Metro Manila and other big cities. Rates can differ by island group, so we set shipping zones that match real costs.
How does working with a team in India suit Philippine hours?
The 2.5-hour difference is small. Our day overlaps with most of yours, so calls happen at normal times and quick fixes are often done the same day. We share progress on a project board and a staging store, and plan big sale days such as 11.11 well ahead.